Job Description Non-Contentious Construction Managing Associate Location : Manchester PQE Level : 5-7 years' PQE Salary : £60,000 - £80,000 Bonus Join an Award-Winning Construction Team as Managing Associate Are you an experienced Non-Contentious Construction lawyer looking to take the next step in your career with a leading international law firm? Our client, a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage and a reputation for award-winning innovation, is seeking a talented Managing Associate to join their highly regarded Non-Contentious Construction team in Leeds. Owing to ongoing growth, continued success, and a range of new and exciting instructions, this is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in transactional delivery, client relationship development, and the continued expansion of the team and practice. This is a high performing, cohesive, and busy team with a strong client roster, where you will become part of a wider national and international team of named experts with a robust framework for future development and progression. The Firm Our client is a London headquartered, international, full-service law firm that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes for clients globally. With 250 years of heritage, the firm today supports over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations, helping them in over 50 areas of business law across more than 100 countries. The firm is known for award-winning innovation and delivering impact to clients. The firm has a strong global presence with offices across Asia (Japan, Singapore), Europe (England & Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Scotland, Spain), and the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, UAE), plus regional business groups covering Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Recent major deals include advising on the largest UK IPO of 2025 (£300m market capitalisation), the £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear power station financing (one of Europe's most significant infrastructure projects), and the £275m sale of an iconic London landmark to a luxury international hotel group. The firm is a place where you are valued, encouraged, and challenged to fulfil your potential in a supportive and collegiate environment. The culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration delivers results, drives innovation, and rewards ambition. The firm's success has been built by people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives. The Group and Team With more than 100 specialist lawyers, including 26 Partners, the firm's highly rated Construction and Engineering team offers a full service of legal solutions to all aspects of the construction industry. From ports to sports stadiums, the award-winning team has changed city landscapes and infrastructure around the world for a range of clients, including leading property companies and developers, governments and other public bodies, contractors, and high-profile companies. The work of the group is hugely varied and includes buildings, residential and living accommodation, civil and process plant engineering, energy, infrastructure, transport, and utilities - across both private and public sectors. The team also provides project support and advice to the firm's wider Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, and Projects teams. The Construction and Engineering team is recognised for its technical excellence, commercial approach, and ability to deliver innovative solutions on complex, high-profile projects. The team has a strong track record of advising on major infrastructure projects, including energy facilities, transport networks, and large-scale developments. The Role As a Managing Associate in the Non-Contentious Construction team, you will play a central role in transactional delivery, client relationship development, and the continued expansion of the team and practice. You will have autonomy and significant client engagement. As first line support for the Partners, you'll be taking your experience and expertise to the next level, supporting clients on a range of complex and market-leading matters in a range of sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport. Your key responsibilities will include: Strategic Advisory Work: Providing strategic advice to a diverse range of high-calibre clients—including government bodies, funders, developers, employers, operators, contractors, sub-contractors, and professional teams—on high-profile projects Advising on procurement strategies (including facilities management) Advising on effective dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms Supporting clients on both complex and day-to-day transactional matters, adding value through sector expertise Transactional Work: Drafting and negotiating a wide range of construction and engineering contracts, including JCT, NEC, and bespoke agreements Advising on construction or engineering projects within the UK Developing innovative solutions tailored to individual client needs Managing complex, high-value construction transactions from inception to completion Client Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong client relationships Acting as first line support for Partners on client matters Direct client contact and engagement on high-profile projects Understanding client needs and delivering commercially focused solutions Identifying opportunities for business development and cross-selling Team Leadership and Development: Demonstrating supervision and management capabilities to help support and develop the group of talented junior lawyers Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and trainees Providing technical guidance and support to the wider team Contributing to the development of the team's expertise and capabilities Working collaboratively within a large, international team to provide comprehensive coverage and expertise Innovation and Process Improvement: Demonstrating enthusiasm for innovation in legal service delivery Using legal technology and process improvement tools Contributing to the development of precedents and best practice approaches Embracing the firm's award-winning innovation culture Business Development: Supporting Partners with business development activities Contributing to pitches and proposals Building your profile within the construction sector Networking and relationship building with clients and contacts About You Essential Requirements: Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales 5-7 years' PQE with strong technical capabilities in construction law Demonstrable track record of advising on non-contentious construction matters Significant experience advising on construction or engineering projects within the UK Strong technical knowledge of construction and engineering contracts, including JCT, NEC, and bespoke agreements Experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts Experience advising on procurement strategies Experience with dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms Experience advising a diverse range of clients including government bodies, funders, developers, employers, operators, contractors, sub-contractors, and professional teams Strong understanding of the construction industry and its commercial drivers Excellent drafting and negotiation skills Strong client relationship management skills Ability to manage complex, high-value transactions Experience developing innovative solutions tailored to individual client needs Ability to support clients on both complex and day-to-day transactional matters Strong team player, able to collaborate effectively within a large, international team Supervision and management capabilities to support and develop junior lawyers Commercially focused with excellent problem-solving abilities Strong attention to detail and accuracy Highly Desirable: Experience across a range of construction sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport Experience advising on major infrastructure projects Experience with facilities management procurement Experience working with Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, and Projects teams Enthusiasm for innovation in legal service delivery, including the use of legal technology and process improvement Experience with business development and pitching Strong networking and relationship building skills Experience mentoring and supervising junior lawyers Experience working in a large, international law firm environment Key Attributes: Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery Commercially astute and business-oriented approach Proactive and solutions-focused Strong leadership potential Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills Adaptable and flexible approach to work Enthusiastic about innovation and new ways of working Self-motivated with strong work ethic Committed to continuous learning and development Passionate about construction law Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment What's On Offer Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business. Benefits include: Competitive salary: £60,000 - £80,000 Bonus Bonus scheme International, full-service law firm with 250 years of heritage Support over 5,000 of the world's most respected organisations globally 50 areas of business law across 100 countries Award-winning innovation and reputation for delivering impact Construction and Engineering team: 100 specialist lawyers, including 26 Partners Highly rated and award-winning Construction team Work on high-profile projects that have changed city landscapes and infrastructure around the world Diverse client roster including leading property companies and developers, governments and other public bodies, contractors, and high-profile companies Hugely varied work across buildings, residential and living accommodation, civil and process plant engineering, energy, infrastructure, transport, and utilities Work across both private and public sectors Part of a wider national and international team of named experts Robust framework for future development and progression Clear pathway to Legal Director and Partner level Autonomy and significant client engagement First line support for Partners on complex and market-leading matters Work across a range of sectors including living, office, retail, life sciences, energy, industrials, and transport Opportunity to develop innovative solutions for clients Supervision and mentoring of junior lawyers Access to legal technology and process improvement tools Culture of improvement, growth, and collaboration Supportive and collegiate environment Work on high-calibre matters with high-character colleagues Access to full-service firm resources (Real Estate, Banking, Corporate, Projects, Employment, Dispute Resolution, IP, Tax, Competition, and more) Employee networks that provide space to discuss differences and celebrate diversity Firm that values people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives Recent major deals: Largest UK IPO 2025 (£300m), £36.55bn Sizewell C nuclear financing, £275m London landmark sale Global offices across Asia, Europe, and Middle East Regional business groups covering Africa, CEE, India, Korea, Latin America, Nordics, North America, Türkiye, Ukraine High performing, cohesive, and busy team with strong client roster Ongoing growth and continued success with range of new and exciting instructions Natural choice for FTSE100 clients and their equivalents in other markets Location This role is based in the firm's Manchester office, located in the heart of the city's business district with excellent transport links and access to the city's amenities, restaurants, and cultural attractions. How to Apply If you're an experienced Non-Contentious Construction lawyer (5-7 years' PQE) looking to take the next step in your career with a leading international law firm, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882